31 People Displaced After Fire Breaks Out At Townsend Apartment Complex

TOWNSEND (CBS) – At least 31 people living in a Townsend apartment complex have been displaced after a large fire broke out Monday night, according to the American Red Cross.

Firefighters from several communities were called to battle smoke and flames at the Pine Ridge Estates apartment complex around 8 p.m.

There is heavy damage to the three-story brick building on Fitchburg Road. There were 24 apartment units impacted, said the Red Cross.

"My grandma heard the alarm and she's like, 'probably, that's a false alarm,' but there was smoke. We were like, 'probably, that's nothing.' Then we heard her friend scream 'fire, fire!' then we ran out. The fire was following us as we were getting out of the building," said Esmeiry Concepcion.

There is no word on any injuries or how the fire started.

The Red Cross and Townsend emergency management have opened a shelter to help displaced residents. Fifteen people stayed overnight at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Chruch.